’90s Anime Remakes Will ‘Accelerate Even Further’ in 2026, According to Official Japan Report

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In 2025, most animation studios chose to revive popular, older series instead of investing in new, unproven ideas. A recent report from Japan suggests this trend will likely increase, with anime creators continuing to use familiar titles and nostalgic themes to appeal to viewers.

Japan’s “Anime Data Insights Lab” just released its predictions for the anime industry in 2026. The report, created by data analysts Keisuke Yotsudo and Yusuke Onuki, analyzed how people watched anime throughout 2025. According to Yotsudo, 2025 saw a surge in popularity for at least three anime series that originally aired in the 1990s and 2000s, capturing the attention of many Japanese viewers.

Why Anime Studios Are Banking on ’90s Nostalgia to Satisfy Audience Demand

Many viewers fondly remember watching classic anime like Hell Teacher, Jigoku Sensei Nube and Cat’s Eye when they were originally broadcast on television.

Previous reports have shown that Millennials and Gen X make up a large portion of anime fans. This holds true even when looking at sales of physical copies, like DVDs, or official anime products.

Yotsudo concludes by noting that remakes of the popular shows Magic Knight Rayearth and High School! Kimengumi – both of which were most popular in the late 1980s and mid-1990s – are already planned for release in 2026.

Onuki’s forecasts, detailed in the “Marketing and On-Site Perspective” report, are mostly similar to Yotsudo’s. Based on his background producing business ventures in entertainment, Onuki believes companies will typically only greenlight projects that have a proven history of success.

When anime is created, studios often choose projects based on how well the original manga or manhwa comic sold, rather than how good the story or artwork might be. Looking at Japan’s best-selling manga of all time, many popular titles first appeared between the mid-1980s and the late 1990s. Well-known examples include series like Berserk, Yu Yu Hakusho, Naruto, Dragon Ball, One Piece, and numerous others.

As a huge anime fan, it’s really interesting to think about what goes into making a show! One thing that always strikes me is how carefully creators have to pick what stories they adapt. It’s not just about what’s popular, but also about money. A typical anime episode can cost anywhere from $90,000 to $300,000 to produce, so they really need to make smart choices!

Anime’s Global Domination: A Double-Edged Sword for Struggling Studios

Adding to the problem, anime has become incredibly popular around the world recently. This huge surge in demand has stretched many anime studios to their breaking points, making it difficult for them to keep up with production.

Many animation studios are trying to reduce costs by sending some of their work to other countries. However, the weak value of the Japanese yen compared to other currencies is making it hard for anime to consistently make a profit. This has led to serious problems for some studios. In 2025, a report from Teikoku Databank showed that eight animation companies in Japan had to shut down, and at least two of them went bankrupt.

With fewer new anime succeeding, studios are likely to focus on well-known franchises that are almost guaranteed to attract an audience. Industry expert Onuki predicts this trend of remakes and reboots will last for at least the next two to three years, and 2026 will likely see even more of them.

Onuki also predicts that most new intellectual property will be based on works that have received significant praise both in Japan and around the world. With anime now popular globally, international markets are essential, and some studios now rely on overseas distribution licenses for about 70-80% of their production funding.

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2026-01-05 02:13